Trial of Israel Military Expert Charged with Espionage Opened

June 2, 1961

TEL AVIV (Jun. 1)

The trial of Israel Beer, the Israeli military historian and strategist who was arrested two months ago on charges of spying for a Communist country, opened here today. The trial is being held in camera and is expected to last about a month.

Before the trial opened, Beer’s defense counsel told the press here that his client would plead guilty to all charges. “Even if he met a foreign agent, it is still not espionage,” the lawyer declared.

The District Court building was crowded with newsmen and press photographers when Beer arrived for the opening of the trial. The accused was not permitted to talk to the press, but was hustled inside the building by police officers.